PARIS (PA) -- Just four years after he finished runner-up to Tiger Woods in the British Open, it could be that the 2009 Open in two weeks is the last of Colin Montgomerie's career.

While fellow Scot Paul Lawrie is certain of a start in every Open until he is 60 thanks to his victory at Carnoustie 10 years ago, Montgomerie has to fight for his place every time. For the past 19 years, all the way through since his debut at St Andrews in 1990, he has found a means of winning that fight, but it is getting harder.

The world rankings and European Order of Merit have more often than not secured him a spot. But after 12 months without a top-10 finish, Montgomerie goes into this week's Alstom French Open down at 211th on one and 94th on the other.

He also turned 46 last week -- but at least in that he can take heart from the fact that 48-year-old Kenny Perry reached fourth in the world on Sunday and Greg Norman, of course, came third in last year's Open at 53.

Yet it was only a change in the way the Open hands out its exemptions that spared Montgomerie from going through the qualifying event last month just as he had to five years ago. Instead of the top 20 on last season's money list being rewarded with places it became the top 30 -- and Montgomerie finished 27th.

Being Ryder Cup captain will not come to his rescue next year. While he has being given an invitation to the PGA Championship next month, the Royal and Ancient Club has never shown any inclination to go down that road.

So the bottom line is that Montgomerie -- whose five runners-up finishes in majors are a record for someone who has never won one -- simply has to start playing better if he wants to be part of the action at St Andrews next year on the 150th anniversary of the first Open.

At least he will go into this week's tournament at Le Golf National near Paris with good memories. He was runner-up to Spanish qualifier Pablo Larrazabal on the course last year, third in 2007 and the winner in 2000.

After his performance last June, he said: "I'm not resting on any laurels. I'm 45 now and you have to dig a little deeper every time, but it's nice to know that it's there.

"I don't feel I've played my last Ryder Cup -- it will be a shame if I have. I think I have at least one left to play," he added. "It's been part of my life since 1991 and I don't feel I'm ready to give that up."

Montgomerie failed to make the 2008 European Ryder Cup team, of course, and in accepting the captaincy for Celtic Manor next year has ruled out playing in the match as well. Not that the current signs point to him getting even remotely close to qualifying. He hasn't even managed a top-20 finish in his last 10 starts.

Copyright 2009 PA Sport. All rights reserved.